Senior Manager, Animal Welfare & Integrity Assurance

As the Senior Manager, Animal Welfare & Integrity Assurance (AWIA) – China, you will provide veterinary, regulatory, and operational leadership to ensure the ethical, compliant, and high-quality conduct of outsourced preclinical animal research in China.You will serve as the regional subject matter expert on animal welfare regulations and external research environments, acting as a key partner to scientific, operational, and governance teams. In this role, you will ensure alignment with Novartis’ global animal welfare standards while enabling scientifically robust and responsible research.

Key Responsibilities: 1. Regulatory Expertise & External EnvironmentAct as the recognized expert on animal research regulations, enforcement trends, and operating environment in China.Translate regulatory and industry developments into actionable guidance for internal stakeholders.Advise teams on regulatory feasibility, risk, and mitigation strategies for outsourced studies.2. Outsourced Study Oversight & CRO ManagementLead veterinary and animal welfare audit programs for contract research organizations (CROs) and external partners in China, including audit planning, execution, findings closure, and continuous improvement.Assess third-party capabilities (e.g., veterinary care, facilities, governance, training) against Novartis and international standards.Provide recommendations on site approval, risk mitigation, or alternative approaches.Oversee corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs) and in-life monitoring to ensure compliance and animal welfare standards are met.3. Animal Welfare AdvancementPromote the implementation of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) and support adoption of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs).  Identify opportunities to improve animal welfare, scientific quality, and operational consistency.4. Stakeholder Engagement & InfluenceServe as the primary point of contact for animal welfare and veterinary matters related to outsourced research in China.  Partner cross-functionally with scientific, procurement, QA, and governance teams to ensure consistent oversight and escalation.Communicate complex regulatory, scientific, and ethical topics to diverse audiences and influence decision-making across organizational boundaries.5. Strategic & Operational ContributionContribute to strategic initiatives, projects, and external collaborations involving animal research in China.Drive operational excellence and continuous improvement in outsourced research oversight.Represent Animal Welfare & Integrity Assurance at the Shanghai site and contribute to global AWIA initiatives and governance.Essential Requirements:Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent required; advanced degree preferred.Minimum 5 years of experience in preclinical research and laboratory animal medicine.Experience working across multiple species (e.g., rodents, rabbits, pigs, dogs, non-human primates).Experience in AAALAC-accredited environments and IACUC or equivalent ethical review processes.Experience overseeing outsourced studies and CROs, ideally within China or similar regulatory environments.Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.Fluency in English and Mandarin (written and spoken).